Iup basketball

[hawks16]

Re: Iup basketball

Since we're talking about the IUP women, I'm very surprised Kelly Mazzante is still on staff. I thought she would have been gone last offseason and especially surprised no one scooped her up this offseason after the year IUP had. You have to almost assume she's getting offers, right? I mean she was the all-time leading scorer in the Big 10, played in the WNBA, has coached now for a couple years under a very well-regarded coach...

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Re: Iup basketball

Word is she isn't interested, for now anyway, in a head job and that she enjoys living in Indiana.

Could you call her the heir apparent to Tom? Hopefully. At this point she wouldn't have any trouble getting a head gig if she was looking for one. That said, I don't see Tom retiring anytime too soon. Both him and Joe have two of the best jobs in D2 - salary, facilities, support, etc.

I wonder if she lights the team up in practice.

[IUP CRIMSON HAWKS]

Re: Iup basketball

I would estimate Tom's age at 57 and Kelly's at 36. Both are still quite young for their respective roles.

I still recall Tom at his introductory presser that he sounded like a man who viewed this as his final/destination job and it didn't sound like he was in any hurry to ride off into the sunset.

With his record of unparalleled program accomplishment after a mere five years on the job that can be considered a good thing for IUP.

They must work well together.

-

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Re: Iup basketball

I would estimate Tom's age at 57 and Kelly's at 36. Both are still quite young for their respective roles.

I still recall Tom at his introductory presser that he sounded like a man who viewed this as his final/destination job and it didn't sound like he was in any hurry to ride off into the sunset.

With his record of unparalleled program accomplishment after a mere five years on the job that can be considered a good thing for IUP.

They must work well together.

-

At minimum I'd think Tom stays 5-6 more seasons.

There were some nights last year when the women out drew the men. I can't ever recall that happening.

[hawks16]

Re: Iup basketball

I don't know why anyone would be in a rush to leave as a coach from an IUP team, unless it's a situation like Mindy Richmond with lacrosse (hired to start a new program in Florida) or Curt Cignetti (an opportunity to jump to Division I). Speaking from a younger perspective, Indiana is a solid place to be. There are young people, old people, breweries, concerts, etc., so you can't be too surprised a Kelly Mazzante would want to stay. And who knows what her career aspirations are. But I would think every Division II AD in the region and even some of the Pittsburgh D-1's s would have to at least make that phone call feeler if there's an opening.

Tony C wrote the article before the IUP women's Final Four game against Ashland that Tom McConnell spent a day with Ashland's team because he wanted to go "from good to great." (https://www.indianagazette.com/sport...8301f1170.html). For what it's worth, Joe and Dom Lombardi -- a newly hired assistant at D-1 Morehead State -- were spotted at a Kentucky practice with John Calipari (via Twitter.)

ALSO, former men's assistant coach Joey Cantens is back from Europe and back at Florida Gulf Coast (Dunk City!) as an assistant.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Re: Iup basketball

You are correct. They aren't in any rush. This may ruffle feathers but when Jerrod Calhoun left Fairmont State for the Youngstown State job ... he was second choice. They courted Joe hard. He turned it down.

IUP is a better job. Way more secure, way better facilities, etc.

[IUPalum]

Re: Iup basketball

You are correct. They aren't in any rush. This may ruffle feathers but when Jerrod Calhoun left Fairmont State for the Youngstown State job ... he was second choice. They courted Joe hard. He turned it down.

IUP is a better job. Way more secure, way better facilities, etc.

As far as a job like Youngstown St, you'll never win there. That conference sends one team to the Big Tournament. The coaching salary isn't much more than IUP and IUP is in the state pension system. IUP can compete on the big stage every year and the cost of living is very low for the wage they make. The facilities are as good or better than a lot of low level D1's also. IUP in a winner when it comes to basketball.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Re: Iup basketball

It wasn't the right job for Joe. Not at this time of his career, anyway.

As for Calhoun, it was a no-brainer. Minus winning one more game he wasn't going to accomplish anything more at FSU. With his age it was time to go up. I think he will do well there. The leash won't be overly long and these next two years will tell the tale.

His last team at Fairmont would have demolished his first team at YSU ... like 30 points demolished. He's a good coach, though, and can build that quickly. He recruits very well to his system.

YSU is like Slippery Rock. Football rules the roost. Basketball is a novelty. He'll want 1-2 good years and then get out of there immediately.

[hawks16]

Re: Iup basketball

I thought if Joe was going to leave, leaving after the 2015 season would have been the year. I think there will be rumors (on this board) next April after Dante graduates. Merely speculating, where would Joe realistically be an option and one he would entertain?

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Re: Iup basketball

Who knows. He's tight friends with Jay Wright and Calipari ... like personal friends. I think he's fine where he is. The post-Dante stuff will go on but it's too sweet of a job.

[IUP24]

I thought if Joe was going to leave, leaving after the 2015 season would have been the year. I think there will be rumors (on this board) next April after Dante graduates. Merely speculating, where would Joe realistically be an option and one he would entertain?

[boatcapt]

Re: Iup basketball

As far as a job like Youngstown St, you'll never win there. That conference sends one team to the Big Tournament. The coaching salary isn't much more than IUP and IUP is in the state pension system. IUP can compete on the big stage every year and the cost of living is very low for the wage they make. The facilities are as good or better than a lot of low level D1's also. IUP in a winner when it comes to basketball.

Doesn't he already qualify for his pension? If so, he'd be getting his PA pension plus whatever his new coaching salary was...even if the new salary was the same as at IUP he'd be making more.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Re: Iup basketball

Thanks, Chuck. Takes some of the summer guessing out of the way.

https://www.indianagazette.com/sport...9d703395d.html


Three 6'9" guys in the starting lineup ...

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Re: Iup basketball

The article states the roster has 16 players.

Assumed Starting 5:

Cobo
Krivacavic
Willem
Dante
Malik

(known) Bench

Morrow
Foster
Dancsecs
Keyes
Humphries

(known) Redshirt
Ulrich

(known) walk-on
Glover Jr.


That's 12 players. Not mentioned from last year: Vaughns, Anthony White, Dylan Benton, Todd Fetsko -- with the latter three being walk-ons. White and Benton actually played (by force) more than typical Joe walk-ons so I'd assume they return. Fetsko was listed as a redshirt junior but I think he was only playing one year.


An exciting season awaits. That bench lineup could function on its own. Wonder if we'll see some 5-for-5 swaps this year. Not Joe's style but he's never had this many players, either.

[IUPalum]

Re: Iup basketball

Who matches up against that???